hardly functioning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly functioning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is barely operational or not working effectively. Example: "After the storm, the power grid was hardly functioning, leaving many neighborhoods in the dark."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Europe has been the great leader of environmental action," Mr. Sachs said in an interview here, "but Europe is hardly functioning right now".

The New York Times

But the talks have since been delayed several times, since the politicians can agree on almost nothing.In this section Bomb-blast diplomacy Judged by the people Returning to democracy Muddy waters Blue-sky development Football code Correction: Poverty in Indonesia ReprintsIn the meantime the state is hardly functioning.

The Economist

Nevertheless, I believe strongly in the importance of peace-building programs, even when the political peace processes are hardly functioning.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Public transportation hardly functioned.

The New York Times

Public institutions hardly function.

The New Yorker

Senegal's democracy has hardly functioned perfectly.

The New York Times

Today Kosovo's economy hardly functions, even after substantial efforts to rebuild housing and basic infrastructure.

The New York Times

In August, Roberts attempted light baseball activities but could hardly function.

The New York Times

The thousands of staff members without whom the modern Congress can hardly function were scattered in the Capitol, in temporary offices three-quarters of a mile away or at home.

The New York Times

It may be considerate to wipe the torturer's brow, but this fact hardly functions as a reason to wipe, or makes his sweat a reason for us to wipe it off.

SEP

As most people know, when you have a tooth that needs a root canal or there's a bad abscess, you can hardly function.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing systems or organizations, use "hardly functioning" to convey a sense of near-failure or severe impairment. For example, "The government was hardly functioning due to the ongoing political crisis".

Common error

Avoid using "hardly functioning" when you mean completely non-functional. The phrase implies some level of operation, however minimal. If something isn't working at all, use terms like "non-functional" or "inoperative" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly functioning" primarily acts as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, describing its state of near-inoperability. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase denotes a state of reduced or minimal functionality. For instance, "The state is hardly functioning" illustrates its role in depicting governmental ineffectiveness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hardly functioning" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in written English, denoting a state of minimal or impaired operation. As Ludwig AI suggests, it accurately describes something barely operational or not working effectively. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for professional communication. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the intended degree of impairment, distinguishing it from complete non-functionality. Related phrases include “barely working” and “scarcely operational” for expressing similar meanings. The frequency is uncommon, but the phrase can be found in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely working

Replaces "hardly functioning" with a more straightforward description of minimal operation.

almost non-operational

Emphasizes the near-complete lack of functionality, suggesting it's close to being out of service.

scarcely operational

Uses "scarcely" to convey a similar meaning of limited functionality, which is only a formal synonym.

minimally functional

Focuses on the minimal level of function, highlighting that it barely meets requirements.

impaired functionality

Shifts the focus to the impaired state of the functionality rather than the degree of operation.

virtually inoperative

Highlights that the item or system is, for all intents and purposes, not working.

barely able to function

Adds a sense of struggle, implying that the subject is making a great effort to function at all.

operating at a minimum level

Specifies that the operation is occurring but only at the lowest possible level.

nominally functioning

Indicates that while it's technically functioning, its performance is negligible or unsatisfactory.

on its last legs

Uses an idiomatic expression to describe something that is about to completely stop functioning.

FAQs

How can I use "hardly functioning" in a sentence?

You can use "hardly functioning" to describe something that is barely operational or not working effectively. For instance, "After the cyberattack, the hospital's IT systems were "hardly functioning", delaying patient care".

What are some alternatives to saying "hardly functioning"?

Alternatives include "barely working", "scarcely operational", or "minimally functional", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "hardly functioning" or "not functioning"?

"Hardly functioning" suggests some minimal level of operation, while "not functioning" implies a complete absence of operation. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the situation.

What is the difference between "hardly functioning" and "malfunctioning"?

"Hardly functioning" indicates a severe impairment of function, whereas "malfunctioning" suggests that something is not working correctly but might still be largely functional. "Malfunctioning" can range from minor issues to near-complete failure.